NORTH EAST EURO MP GETS ANSWERS ON THE GHOST SHIPS
February 23, 2005 12:00 AM
Fiona Hall, Liberal Democrat MEP for the North East, has obtained a response from the European Commission on the Ghost Ships in Hartlepool.
Last October, the Basel Convention ruled that ships taken out of service should be considered as toxic waste and that their movement should be minimised. Following this ruling, Ms. Hall asked what steps the Commission would be taking to ensure that no more decommissioned ships from the US reserve fleet wereare sent to Hartlepool in the North East of England.
The response from the Commission has revealed that:
• The Commission supports mandatory requirements for ship dismantling.
• The import of decommissioned ships from OECD countries into the European Union is generally not prohibited under Community law, even if the ships are hazardous waste.
Said Fiona Hall:
'As the Commission has confirmed, the UK has to ensure that the existing dismantling facilities in Hartlepool carry out their activities with the necessary licences, and in line with requirements for environmentally sound management
'Also, the Commission is not aware of any decision taken by the US authorities giving clearance for the movement of further ships from the US.
'A working group of the International Maritime Organisation, the International Labour Organisation and the Basel Convention has been established, with the aim of achieving a situation where ships are only sent to be recycled in yards that fulfil the standards set in the guidelines of these international organisations
'The European Commission has clarified some issues, but for the people of Hartlepool, the continued presence of the Ghost Ships is cause for uncertainty and concern. '
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